Search And Rescue Looks For New Members

Opportunities for training members are abundant

When someone gets lost in Klickitat County, they are the ones who come to save the day. They are the volunteers of Klickitat County Search and Rescue, and they are looking for new members.

Opportunities for training with KCSAR members are abundant. Members of the nonprofit organization are or will be trained in first aid and CPR, blood borne pathogens, environmental hazards, communications and helicopter safety. Some members expand their skills by learning technical rescue to help people by using rope and climbing techniques.

There is also a program for training volunteers and their dogs in searches. Some volunteers are preparing to assist in searches using horses, too.

Some of the topics covered were map and compass use, global positioning systems, tracking, evidence identification, wilderness survival, interacting with the public (especially with family and friends of the lost or injured), and procedures of the nationally-used incident command system.

The organization is seeking more volunteers, especially from the west end of Klickitat County.

KCSAR meets the second Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at different locations. The next meeting is on July 8.

Call Eileen Porter, 773-4455, at the Klickitat County Sheriff's Office for meeting location or to learn more.